Panaji: Amid rumours that Goa International Airport at Dabolim may be shut down, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said it is imperative that the airport remain open and operational for commercial air traffic and civilian use.“The airport at Dabolim is vital and the backbone of South Goa. News and rumours of its closure and transfer to the Navy have circulated repeatedly ever since the Manohar International Airport was commissioned at Mopa in North Goa,” said TTAG president Jack Sukhija.TTAG urged chief minister Pramod Sawant to adhere to the commitment of keeping Dabolim operational.“We strongly urge the chief minister to issue a clear statement at the earliest to reassure the people of Goa and to allay fears and apprehensions caused by various news reports and rumours,” Sukhija said.The association pointed to precedents where airports successfully operate under dual civilian-defence arrangements. “It would be pertinent to note that even the Kashmir airport functions as a defence and civilian airport,” TTAG said, adding that substantial investment by the central govt in Dabolim’s infrastructure enables it to function in both capacities.Chief minister Sawant said defence minister Rajnath Singh has assured Goa that civil flights will not be stopped at Dabolim. Speculation resurfaced after South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes claimed he had “confidential information” that plans were afoot to hand over the airport entirely to the Indian Navy.TTAG said any disruption at Dabolim would impact South Goa’s tourism industry, adding that closure rumours have created uncertainty.
